Nigeria international Bright Osayi-Samuel will not face any sanctions from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) following a brawl with an unruly Trabzonspor fan last month.
The Fenerbahce defender was one of the players who were summoned before the TFF over the violent scenes that ensued during the game against Trabzonspor on March 17.
Fenerbahce defeated their rivals 3-2 in the said game, but there was chaos after the final whistle, with some of the home fans invading the pitch to attack the players of the visiting team.
Osayi-Samuel was captured on camera fighting off one of the Trabzonspor supporters. The right-back punched the onrushing supporter in the face – an act he later described as “self-defence”.
The incident led to several Trabzsonspor supporters being arrested and placed in pre-trial detention, while Osayi-Samuel was also initially facing sanctions over his conduct.
Turkish FA clears Osayi-Samuel but other players fined
Osayi-Samuel and two of his Fenerbahce teammates, Jayden Oosterwolde and Irfan Can Egribayat, were said to have breached Article 45 of the Turkish FA’s Disciplinary Code. The aforementioned players were all facing bans of between one and five matches if they were found guilty.
However, the Nigerian right-back has now escaped punishment, according to reports in Turkey, despite the footage showing his involvement in the brawl. Osayi-Samuel was neither banned nor fined by the TFF.
The Turkish FA, though, has slapped a one-match ban on Oosterwolde and Egribayat, while both have also been fined 52,000 TL (€1,500) and 13,000 TL (€ 375), respectively.
Meanwhile, Tranzonspor have also received a home ban that will see them play their next six matches without spectators. The club has also been fined a sum of €89,800 for the troubles caused by their fans during the game against Fenerbahce.
The latest ruling means Osayi-Samuel is available for Fenerbahce's upcoming Turkish Super Cup final against bitter rivals Galatasaray on Sunday, April 7.
